Ravioli with Broccoli and Blistered Tomatoes

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and  

co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings 

in order that we may also share in His glory.” Romans 8:17

Food for the Palate
Ingredients:
2 cups of broccoli spears
1 cup of grape or cherry tomatoes, whole
1 package of your choice of ravioli

2 Tbsp julienned fresh basil

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 cup diced chicken (optional)

3 Tbsp olive oil, divided

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

Cook ravioli per package instructions. While the ravioli is cooking place a large skillet on a medium-high burner. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to the skillet. Add broccoli, garlic and chicken to the skillet. Cook until the chicken is cooked through. Add tomatoes and allow to blister. Add salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Add the ravioli straight from the pan, while reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. You may want to use the pasta water to increase your sauce. 

Once all ingredients are incorporated into the pasta, remove your skillet from the heat. Add the parmesan cheese, julienned basil and 2 Tbsp of olive oil. Toss and serve. Tasty to the Palate!

Food for the Soul

The name 'broccoli' comes from the word ‘Brocco’, which is Italian for "the flowering crest of a cabbage".  And yes, broccoli is part of the cabbage family.

The term “Family Crest” popped into my mind as I was finishing the above sentence. Traditionally, only noble families had family crests. These were symbolic representations of family identity, and each component of the crest symbolized something specific about that particular family. A Maltese cross on the crest, for instance, signified that the bearer or an ancestor participated in the Crusades. These portrayals were detailed. The eight points of the Maltese cross, for instance, referred to the eight participating European countries. A portion of the shield gilded or painted gold proclaimed that the bearer’s family descended from kings and queens.

Do you know what the Christian family crest is? Afterall, we do come from royalty!  I bet you can guess without me having to tell you. If we are Christians and everything that we are or hope to be is wrapped up in Jesus Christ and the grace of God, then our “family crest” would be the cross, wouldn’t it?

 

How many of you know what a “Laminin” is? Laminin is the name used for a family of proteins that serve many useful functions in biology. The most important property of laminins is their ability to easily bind to each other and to other proteins. This makes laminin a critical means of holding tissues and organs together. It has been described as the protein equivalent of glue. These proteins have several short arms that bind easily to other laminins and a single long arm that binds easily to other cell structures and membranes. Laminins literally hold our bodies together. Now here is a fascinating comparison: flattened out, laminins have a shape that reminds us of the shape of the cross.

I can't help but think while the cross-shaped laminin holds our bodies together, the cross of Christ holds our entire lives together. Isn’t that just like God to make the most important molecule in our bodies into the shape of the cross? After all, He knew from the beginning of time that He would be sending His Son to die on a cross to save us. It is the cross that binds us all together as the children of God as part of the Christian church.

According to Romans 8:17: “Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.” If I were to describe our “Family Crest”, I would say that the cross of Christ was on the top of the crest, the heart of Christ was in the center and the empty tomb would be on the bottom, with a bright, bold, golden trim around the whole thing! Now that is a Royal Family Crest that I can boast about! Satisfying to the Soul!